Panasonic Firmware Updates To Bring Post Focus to Three 4K Cameras Including GX8 Next Week, GH4 Next Year

It seems that no sooner had my article on the many virtues of the Panasonic Lumix GX8 camera been published here that news appeared in my email in-box of an imminent second update to the camera’s firmware to include a while new feature named Post Focus.

The GX8 is not the only Panasonic Lumix 4K-capable camera to receive new firmware to include Post Focus. Firmware updates for the Lumix DMC-G7 and DMC-FZ300 cameras will also be appearing on November 25 in the wee hours Greenwich Mean Time at GMT/CET 100am.

My beloved Panasonic Lumix GH4 will not be left out of the new list of Post Focus-capable cameras. It will receive its own Post Focus-inclusive firmware update early 2016.

From the video posted at YouTube by Panasonic Australia, Post Focus appears to work in a way not unlike rack focus, where you choose a foreground focus point, a rearmost focus point, then shoot 4K video that records them and points in between.

As it takes advantage of the cameras’ 4K photo movie-shooting functionality, it is likely that your video footage will be saved for use in a movie and you can also choose one or more optimally-focused still frames to export for use as photographs join their right or as stills for use in a movie.

Post Focus looks useful for a range of stills photography subjects as well for as moviemakers. What I would really love to see in the next firmware update after this one is focus stacking. That would be enormously useful for extreme close-up photographs of some of the hardware I write about here.

Panasonic, please consider!

Firmware for three Panasonic Lumix 4K-capable stills/video hybrid cameras, including the GX8, will be available for download at GMT/CET 1:00am, on November 25. The other cameras are the DMC-G7 and DMC-FZ300, and the GH4 will receive Post Focus in a firmware update early 2016.

The new Post Focus menu item. Still frames extracted from video by Panasonic Australia.

LUMIX introduces the first Compact System Cameras and Bridge camera to allow users to select their preferred ‘in-focus’ area after taking their shot

Sydney, November 20, 2015: Panasonic is set to release the innovative ‘Post Focus’ mode, which enables the user to select the subject they wish to be in focus, after the photo has been taken.

With each shutter press, ‘Post Focus’ mode captures all possible focus points from foreground to background. Ideal for situations such as macro or food photography, the key benefit of the new mode is the ability to refine the image post-shot to get sharp, accurate focus on a precise area and then select a preferred shot or number of shots.

‘Post Focus’ mode will be available later this month as a free software download for the following LUMIX 4K cameras: DMC-GX8 and DMC-G7 G Series cameras and the DMC-FZ300 compact super zoom.

Scott Mellish, Business Manager, G Series, Panasonic, said: “‘Post Focus’ is designed for macro shooting, food or portraiture where perfect focus is a must in achieving that great creative shot. When the moment is fleeting, you can use this mode to capture your image, with flexibility in deciding on the absolutely ideal focus point after the event. You can take your shot and then review and select your preferred focus point so it is pin-sharp.

“An added benefit in this mode is access to adjustment tools such as Focus Peaking and 5x magnification to really fine-tune your image to the smallest of details and achieve stunning results.”

Key Features
‘Post Focus’ is very easy to use. The user simply selects the mode, then presses the camera shutter to take the image. Then, during playback they select the preferred focus point to save as a separate shot. The process can be repeated for multiple shots, with fine adjustment, 5x magnified view and Focus Peaking available as the shot is selected.

The new mode requires high-speed, high-resolution imaging and uses Panasonic’s fast, high-precision Depth From Defocus autofocus technology working together with the powerful 4K engine, which can record in high resolution at a fast frame rate. It scans all the focus points within an image to quickly capture information.

Karin is a documentary moviemaker, journalist, photographer and teacher who conceived and cofounded an influential, globally-read, Australian magazine of contemporary art, culture and photography. While based in Europe, contributing to the magazine and working in advertising, she visualised a future telling the same sorts of stories with a movie camera and audio recorder. Now back in her home base in Sydney, Karin is pursuing her goal of becoming an independent, one-person, backpack multimedia journalist and documentary moviemaker. Mentorless and un-filmschooled, she is constantly learning and sharpening up her skill set.